BSNL union warns of indefinite strike

BSNL Employees Union today claimed the one-day strike called by the unions and associations of the PSU is near total and asked the Department of Telecom and BSNL management to look into their demands for wage revision under the 3rd Pay Revision Commission report.

The Union is demanding wage revision with 15% fitment under the 3rd Pay Revision Commission for which it has sought an exemption from a clause that includes only PSUs with consecutive three-year profit making track to be eligible for such a hike.

Since at the moment, the PSU does not fall into the profitable slot, BSNL EU has sought exemption from the “Affordability Clause” that binds wage revision under the 3rd PRC to profits. Their demand, the union wants to be taken forward by BSNL management with the DoT and the Minister Manoj Sinha failing which there could be an indefinite strike, the union warned .

"The government and the BSNL Management must immediately discuss the issues with the unions and associations, and resolve them without delay. It is also warned that, any reluctance on the part of the government and the BSNL Management in this regard, will only force the unions and associations to give call for more serious forms of struggles, including indefinite strike”, BSNLEU convenor P. Abhimanyu said.

“The officers and workers of BSNL have massively responded to the strike call. The strike is taking place, demanding wage revision from January 1, 2017, pension revision, superannuation benefits to the Directly Recruited employees and to stop the attacks on trade union rights in BSNL. The success of the strike is beyond expectations in almost all circles. The photos received from various circles show that, most of the customer care centres, administrative offices, and telephone exchanges wear a deserted look. The officers and workers have also conducted huge demonstrations throughout the country, highlighting their demands. In all places, the strike is peaceful, without any untoward incident”, the union said in a statement.

However, there were reports of some incidences in Kolkata and Assam.

“Trinamool workers have attacked the union leaders in Kolkata. Nearly 400 striking employees, have been taken in to custody by the police in Guwahati”, the statement said.